Raw Material
Milkcrate Digest

John Freeborn,
Milkcrate Digest

Age: 23

Selection: "Milkcrate Sports" (page 127)

Recent review (from girlie): "It's about milkcrates. All about milkcrates. There are pictures of milkcrates, and there are pictorial essays on things you can do with milkcrates (including the Milkcrate as Prophylactic image, which has caused me to involuntarily urinate each and every time I see it)."

Sample: $2 from 142 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106



When did you launch your zine? What inspired you to do so?
milkcrateMilkcrate Digest started in the winter of 1993. Before MD, I did a zine called Media Locals. It was about, or was supposed to be about, skateboarding. In the final issue I did a two-pages spread on milkcrates. That was the germ that blossomed into Milkcrate Digest.

Why publish a zine?
I began when I was in high school. I saw some other zines in my area that were really amazing. One by Adam Wallcarage, "Wonder Rolling News," really inspired me to do something. I found freedom in the underground press and have loved it ever since.

Do you publish any other zines?
BarbDie-A-Ree-A, a one-shot collaboration; BARB is about photocopy exploration and my personal stories; Kill Rocco Zine is a one-issue, unauthorized bio of a skateboard industry bad guy; and ADD-BER-TIES-MET is the company zine of GoodandEvil Skateboards (my own company) and Holeproof Clothing. It has stories, cartoons, etc.

Any general tips for aspiring zinesters?
The big thing I learned was that you should not wait for others to pitch in on your zine. As a rule people will say they will give you things, but words are words. Take it upon yourself. Use what you get (if you get submissions) and just keep working.

What's your favorite part of doing a zine?
The first printing.

In my other life, I'm an:
Architecture student.

Fan Mail
JohnFreeborn.com


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